Last name: Cowan

This interesting name, widespread in Scotland and Ulster, is an Anglicized form of the old Gaelic MacEoghain or MacEoin. The Gaelic prefix "mac" means "son of", plus the personal name Eoghan from the old Celtic "Oue(i)n", well-born, but believed to derive ultimately from the Greek "Eugenious", "born lucky" or "well-born". In Ireland Eugene replaced Eoin, the old Irish form of John, and the various patronymic forms of the name include MacOwen, MacCown, MacCone, MacKeown. The forms Cowan, Cowen and Kewon resulted from the subsequent loss of the "Mac" prefix. In 1582 one, John Cowan was Chancellor of Christ church, Waterford, and in 1639 Cowan's Hospital in Stirling was founded by John Cowan, a merchant there. On June 29th 1643 Marionne Cowan and George Mwir were married in Ochiltree, Ayrshire. On May 8th 1846 Pat Cowan, a merchant, aged 21 yrs., embarked from Liverpool on the "Rochester" bound for New York. He was a famine immigrant to that city. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Elizabeth Cowan, (marriage to Edward Humphery), which was dated November 12th 1580, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Ernest Cowan
The spelling of the name ending en or an was a way in times gone by of knowing who was a protestant and who was a catholic in Ireland. All of them originally came from Scotland, but families split along religious lines during the reformation. Some of my relatives spell their surname Cowen some Cowan. Nowadays it just seems to be mistakes that are made on birth certificates

Ashleigh Cowan
My grandfather came to America with my grandmother from Scotland in probably the 40s. My father and his siblings were born here.

jarred cowan
my dad is Scottish yay!!!. that's something we never new

Carlee Cowan
There are New Zealand Cowans too. My Grandfather emigrated here from Kirkcaldy, Scotland with his family when he was a toddler. Cool to hear that there are lots of us in North and South America.

Andy Cowan
Any Cowans follow me on twitter @Acey_11 haha thanks

Chris Austin
I was adopted at birth, just found out my biological dad's name was Cowan! Scottish...that explains the freckles

charmel a Joiner
I am a Cowna also, however, considered African American, Oby T. Cowan born a slave was of Irsih ANcestry our distant relative and 13 children were born. Because of our Irish Ancestry, Members in our family have very light skin. Considered "high Yellow", freckles and beautiful eyes and smiles.... We could be related a direct blood line.

Becky Cowan
My grandfather came from Scotland and some of my family still live there, it's such a beautiful place

Leah

Interesting. I am a Cowan but from Irish origin, not Scottish.

L

Any Cowans here with family from Tennessee, the Carolinas, or Mississippi? If so, we're related.

C

Cowan from Ontario, Canada here! Whats up Cowans!

Deborah cowan

I am a cowan grandchild of Edward brooks cowan sr" I always wonder if there is anyone out there that might be my blood related family..?????!!! Deborah ann cowan

Deborah cowan

I am a grandchild of the late Edward brooks cowan sr is any of my family left???? I always think of the days there were a lot of us now popopops gone and so are all of you ,,,,,,,

Justin Cowan

Any Cowan's in California?? I am Son of Daniel Cowan originaly from Oregon. mailforjustincowan@yahoo.com

Scotty Cowan

Cowan here in NC!

Theresa

My Mom was a Cowan in Kentucky. Her Dad was Lindsey Cowan. I wish I knew if I was Scottish or Irish.

Elizabeth Ramsey-Latta
My GGGGreat Grandma Elizabeth Cowan came to the U.S. in the late 1700's. We have been searching for years to find more on her and her husband Josiah Ramsey and hit a dead end every time. Is anyone related?

Rob Cowan

Rob Cowan, Illinois, GGGF Robert J. Cohen married in 5 Mile Town AUG 22, 1872 in Brobbrogen Ireland he was from County Tyrone, GGGM Martha Carothers 7-7-1853 from Aughendard, County Fermanagh Co. Ellis Island, to Philadelphia, to Fennimore, Wisconsin. Traced to Ireland to Scotland. Want to know the history if possible. Thank you

Anonymous
in want part of Scotland was is the afftliation association to ireland

Ashley cowan
From Newfoundland, Canada :)

Kim Cowan
My gggg grandfather was Samuel Cowan. He married Sarah Keith. She was from Scotland. Most of my relatives were from Arkansas... My grandfather was H Elmer Cowan. 1899-1973

Dtricia Cowan
Family from Jamaica.

Samuel E. Cowan
Lot of Cowans in TN was wondering if i am Scottish or Irish or what?

Brandon Cowan
I'm 16 and just found out I'm Irish plus I live in Ny

Tawney Cowan Brack
My great grandfather was William Chamberlain Cowan from Tennessee. He moved to Kansas City MO in the early 1900. He had a brother Wiley who moved from Tennessee to Oklahoma at the same time. We believe his father was Gideon Cowan from Tennessee but that is all the farther we can go back. Any relatives out there? Love to hear from you!

Bradley Earl Cowan
Who is out there. I'm Bradley Cowan my farther is Maurice Cowan , grandfather was the late Earl Cowan and great grandfather was George Cowan. All from Maine.

Cowan
Ancestry

Cowan
Hey from scotland as far as I know dad fredrick born Canada Montreal, his father adam and mother Kathleen who had sisters Eva , Olivia dad had a brother Robert.

D. Cowan
Down in Texas, Tom Cowan was my g grand pop. I think we are from Ireland farther back